Portable electric torch with rotary cylinder

Abstract

A torch light having a case containing batteries and an assembly formed by a bulb and connecting circuit arranged on a cylinder mounted with limited rotation in a circular housing of the case between a first rest position allowing access to the first compartment for fitting or removal of the batteries and a second work position commanding lighting of the torch. The cylinder has a ramp cooperating with the batteries when switching from the first rest position to the second work position takes place to allow the first contact and the second contact to come into engagement with the respective terminals of opposite polarities of said batteries. A pushbutton operating the switch is able to be in an inactive position corresponding to the closed state of the switch when the second contact is bearing against one of the terminals, and an active position urging the switch to the open state following separation of the terminal with the second contact.

We claim: 
     
       1. An electric torch light, comprising: a case;   a direct current source including a plurality of batteries housed in a first compartment of the case;   a connecting circuit for electrical connection of a bulb, including first and second supply contacts electrically connected with the current source by a switch;   a cover including a reflector and a transparent screen for emission of a light beam coming from the bulb when the switch is closed; and   a cylinder inserted within a circular housing at a front part of the case supporting the bulb and the connecting circuit and rotatable between a first position allowing access to the first compartment for insertion or removal of the batteries, and a second position to energize the bulb and block access to the first compartment, wherein the cylinder includes a ramp which contacts the batteries when the cylinder is rotated to the second position and moves respective terminals of opposite polarities of said batteries into engagement with the first contact and the second contact.   
     
     
       2. The torch light according to claim 1, further comprising: a rotary ring affixed to the cover, wherein the cylinder includes a pushbutton operating the switch of the electrical connecting circuit, said pushbutton being movable from an inactive position corresponding to the closed state of the switch when the second contact is bearing against one terminal of one of the batteries, and an active position urging the switch to the open state following separation of said terminal with the second contact; wherein turning of the rotary ring moves the pushbutton between positions and focuses light from the bulb by moving the reflector and transparent screen relative to the bulb.   
     
     
       3. The torch light according to claim 2, wherein the reflector includes a stop that moves the pushbutton from the inactive position to the active position when the rotary ring of the cover is fully rotated onto the case. 
     
     
       4. The torch light according to claim 2, wherein the first contact and the second contact of the connecting circuit are permanently in electrical connection respectively, with a metallic base and the insulated terminal of the bulb, and the pushbutton is arranged substantially in axial alignment with the batteries placed under the second contact. 
     
     
       5. The torch light according to claim 3, wherein the second contact is provided with an orifice allowing the pushbutton to pass through when the pushbutton is urged to the active position by the stop of the reflector. 
     
     
       6. The torch light according to claim 5, wherein in the active position the pushbutton moves the batteries against the return force of a contact pressure spring arranged in a base of the case opposite from the cylinder. 
     
     
       7. The torch light according to claim 2, wherein the circular housing of the cylinder is bounded by a circular end with external threads onto which the rotary ring of the cover, arranged coaxially with respect to the cylinder, is screwed. 
     
     
       8. The torch light according to claim 1, wherein the cylinder is formed by a cylindrical body made of molded insulating material, comprising a perforated intermediate wall separating the first compartment with the batteries from a second compartment housing the bulb and reflector, said wall being provided with an opening allowing access to the first compartment in the first position of the cylinder and after the cover has been removed, and blocking said access when the cylinder is moved to the second work position. 
     
     
       9. The torch light according to claim 8, wherein the first contact and second contact of the connecting circuit are positioned radially with an angular offset on the face of the wall facing to the side of the first compartment.